El Rey Azteca
512 Blackman St, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18702
El Rey Azteca Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Wilkes-Barre for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
512 Blackman St
Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18702 - Phone (570) 829-4900
- Website https://www.elreyaztecarestaurant.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Rachel K.
OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE! Called about 30 minutes before to ask if I could make a reservation for 25 people which was kindly accepted. When our party arrived we had a huge table set up with a spread of outstanding homemade chips and salsa. Our waitresses were TERRIFIC, never a empty cup or unhappy guest. We were given several samples or drinks and foods which was all authentic and fresh. Cannot say enough good things about this restaurant! Highlighted menu items included table side guacamole, fajitas and burritos!
(5)Pamela S.
This is a wonderful hidden gem! The food was fresh and delicious! Made to order. Family owned. Not some chain. Fabulous staff! Guac made right at the table! Deserts were fantastic! Not your run oif the mill, average, mexican food joint. This place has a large variety of choices that are as good as we've had in AZ, NM etc. Reasonably priced. Cannot wait to go back!
(5)Andrea F.
One of life's greatest moments is discovering new hole-in-the-wall, cheap Mexican eats. This place is one of them and it rocks. While visiting home for the weekend, I stopped in here for a mid-afternoon lunch on Sunday. The restaurant is set up kind of funny, with an oddly spread-out dining area, a takeout counter, and mini souvenir shop. I've decided that the tackier the decor, however, the better and cheaper the food's probably gonna be. And it definitely was good food. First of all, our server (one of them) rolled up to our table and whipped up the most amazing, made with love guacamole I've ever tasted. With fresh chunks of avocado and cilantro, it had a bit of a kick to it and I loved that. Props to the staff knowing what they're doing. We ordered: the Burrito del Mar, a classic burrito, and steak fajitas. All were delicious. I was jealous I didn't get the classic burrito since it looked easier to handle in a more traditional dos manos fashion. Mine was more of an enchilada, covered in a cheesy sauce and also sitting in that same sauce. It was still delicious, with plenty of gigantic pieces of fresh jumbo shrimp, red peppers, onions, and fluffy spanish rice. The sauce mixed perfectly with it. I took off a star because while it was tasty, it was just so messy and hard to eat and I ended up scraping half the peppers and gooey cheese sauce into an unappetizing-looking pile in the corner of my plate. Also, I was a bit confused with the service, since two girls waited on us the whole time and would often ask us something the other already asked us. I guess better two than none, though. Next time I come back, I'm totally getting a double order of that amazing guac, as well as the flautas for an entreé...they looked fantastic.
(4)Piyush P.
The best Mexican food I've ever had by an incredibly kind staff.
(5)Travis O.
Great service and authentic Mexican! Recommend the flautas for an appetizer and the homemade guacamole is a must as well
(5)Cassie K.
Looks are deceiving! Went here with my husband after playing pool for something small to eat. Everything we ordered was fresh, full of flavor, and home made! First we got complementary chips and salsa, very good. The salsa had a mild sweet kick to it, very good. Next the waitress, who was very friendly and helpful, brought 3 different sample types of Mexican non alcoholic drinks, we chose a berry drink and a flavored water. Were good but a little pricey. My husband ordered classic enchiladas with green salsa and 6 garlic knots and I ordered the fajita quesadilla with chicken only. I couldn't believe the size of our plates when our food came out! The portions were HUGE! One garlic knot was the size of my fist! Both meals were delicious and you could tell everything was homemade and very fresh! And great for the price! Will be going back!!!
(5)Harshada J.
The best Mexican food I had in a long time. Everything is freshly made from scratch. The service is great. The waitress was very patient explaining ingredients, sauces in every dish, she even offered samples. Both Aztec n Mayan burritos are good. A friend tried chicken fajita n loved it. The best was seafood soup.
(5)Maggie F.
Fantastic authentic Mexican food with an extensive menu, including a few good children's meal selections, and several daily specials from which to choose; prices are reasonable and, as many pictures here show, portions are generous, to say the least. It's a small (8-10 tables), family-owned and operated restaurant, and there are always several people -- either cooking, waiting tables, or set up at a table doing paperwork -- available to tell you about the menu, even insisting on giving you a sample of the specials, and to check on your table. (In fact, I happened to look up at the specials menu during my meal, and one of the waitresses behind the counter noticed immediately and asked if we needed anything!) As others have noted, the appearance (a store front in the back of a strip mall) is deceiving. They have a limited selection of soft drinks, but a wide assortment of flavored sodas from Mexico (made with real sugar -- yum!). They have a good selection of desserts, and children's meals come with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
(5)Daniel F.
Stopped by this place after seeing consistently good reviews on yelp. The first thing we noticed upon being seated was that the place was oddly empty and the service was over attentive to the point of being intrusive. Keep in mind this is on a sunny saturday afternoon. Placed our order and shortly after were pressured to partake in freshly made guacamole at the table which was smothered with lime juice. The burrito I ordered had spongey blande rice stuffed throughout and was very dry. The prices weren't bad for the portions but that doesn't justify the immense lack of food quality. The complimentary chips were stale as well. If you're looking for fresh food with good service than look to other places nearby. Possibly the new tolteca joint in edwardsville.
(2)Kate P.
Authentic Mexican food! The best in the area. When you are in the restaurant, you feel like you are in Mexico. The prices are extraordinary for the amount and quality of the food. I can't wait to go back. My only problem is the location. Wilkes Barre overall is not very safe anymore, but this is in one of the worse spots.
(4)Nearme Y.
First time here or anywhere in the NEPA like this little place. It is sort of in the middle of no where and I'm not usually in WB but I saw the reviews online and though to try it. My boyfriend said it was the best Mexican he has ever had. Although I'm a bit more of a critic. I will say I loved my quesadilla. The shrimp was very fresh and had been cook the right amount of time. No liquor though so it was missing a nice margarita but the prices are reasonably and the staff were very nice and even double teamed us. Good came out in about 15 minutes. Our drinks stayed full. I will go back and already recommended it to someone who works up that way. Adios.
(5)Mari S.
Not only was this authentic Mexican food which was so good, but the service was awesome as well. Great choice of food with specials. Super friendly staff. Highly recommend eating here.
(5)Elijah P.
I've gotten takeout from this restaurant twice, and both times I was very satisfied. I think this place has a lot of potential, and they're certainly tapping into it in some areas, while in others they fell a little short. Both times I ordered from here, I visited without calling ahead and ordered to-go. I think the food prep time was about 10 minutes both times, however the first time I waited an additional 10 because the waitress who took my order forgot to bring it out from the kitchen for me. It was a little cold when I got it back to my apartment. This isn't too big of a deal since that burrito, once I returned it to the proper temperature, was DELICIOUS. The flavor was deep and satisfying, the pork was moist, and the portion was big enough for two. Unfortunately, I did chew into a few sizable chunks of pork fat, which was not too pleasing, but overall it was an excellent dish. I do have to dock a star for the overall inexperience of the waitstaff, as the restaurant was not busy, but they forgot about my order and neglected to bus and clean some tables in the dining room. I would dock another for the fattiness of the pork in the burritos, but I think this place does deserve 4 stars. Relatively, these are some of the best tasting Mexican dishes I've had in a long time, and I think you should give this place a try.
(4)Lezlie P.
Being from Texas and having worked in the service industry I have pretty high standards when it comes to my dining experience and Mexican food. Let me just say... El Rey Azteca blew me away with their service and food!! Jalene, our server was the most kind and helpful young lady. She swiftly catered to our group of seven leaving us raving about this restaurant and our experience for the rest of our work trip! If and when I return to PA I will definitely be returning to El Rey Azteca!
(5)Jessica J.
Great and awesome food and atmosphere!!!! Waitstaff very friendly...real Mexican food nothing like the other place (won't mention). Lol. Husband came this time also and he couldn't believe how awesome the food was. Thanks again!
(5)April S.
Chalk up yet another five star review for this establishment. I've seen the sign in passing and finally decided to check in. I brought my own beer. I was given a sample of pork ribs in adobo sauce. The meat was succulent and hearty and the adobo was not only the perfect beautiful color, but had a spice level that was adequate for a hot head such as myself, yet mild enough for those more sensitive. On a universal heat level, the adobo and the house salsa were both on point. The rib special was tempting, but the Torta Mayan sounded like it was made for me. It had chorizo, al pastor and roasted jalapeno. Yes, please! Every torta must first be judged by It's bread and this one made the cut. Soft, but not so much to lose integrity to moisture. Flaky. Sweet. Absolutely homemade. The chorizo wasn't the best I've ever tasted, but that is a hard standard to meet. It was damn good, and so was the al pastor. There were actually chunks of pineapple aplenty throughout the torta and the way they played with the onions was perhaps the most delightful sensation of all. Service was polite, friendly and informative without being overbearing. After my meal, I was casually browsing the Mexican candy counter and my waitress explained some of the candies. If she hadn't done so, I'd never have been exposed to dulce de calabaza (candied pumpkin), which is now high on the list of my favorite things on the planet.
(5)Jonathan S.
Amazing food very authentic and also homemade I would definitely recommend it to friends.
(5)P R.
Food was 5 star - very well prepared; Like others have said - loved the samplers they brought out. The fresh guacamole was great. Only downsides are no booze - but it is BYOB (so long as you know - which we didn't). Also, beware of the parking. The restaurant is in the back of the building. Along the front of the building there's "no parking - you'll be towed." Believe it. What a scam - because at dinnertime you're not bothering anyone regardless of where you park - the restaurant should put up a side warning patrons of the $175 hazard.
(4)Jazmin H.
Go try this place right now! I don't even care if you don't like Mexican food because the service is so good that it's unreal. Seriously I've never experienced such fanatically perfect service for less than $150 a person. If you've ever studied customer service, you need to check this out. Oh right and the food is good too!
(5)Rob M.
I finally made here last evening. The food was excellent and the portions are gigantic! What's even more is the price is better than right. I recommend this establishment. This is a hidden gem of Mexican restaurants in my area
(4)Joe B.
Stayed the night in town and while looking for places that delivered to the hotel found this place on Yelp. We ordered chicken tacos, rice and beans and chips and salsa. Everything was very good. We will make it a point to stay in town the next time we travel thru the area just so we can order there again.
(5)mark s.
I'll add to positive reviews - we were going through on I81 and found it on yelp. Service was great and friendly, chicken enchiladas were excellent and the portions were almost too large. Had the guacamole which was very good without the exception ofban heavy hand on the salt. Highly recommend for authentic Mexican food!
(5)Sandra L.
My husband and I shared a couple of 'appetizers' - chicken nachos with mole (house made) and quesadillas filled with potato an chorizo and a few other things, topped somehow with avocado. A wonderful mixture. I was worried they would be too spicy, but they were wonderful. Picture posted. BTW, the place is byob, but I prefer a horchata.
(5)Chris G.
Great authentic food..very welcoming, even an hour before the doors were going to close,the waitress was very attentive and even had a good conversation over dinner. This will be the place that I will stop when going thru Wilkes-Barre to grab mexican on my way home.
(5)Gab G.
They make the most amazing guacamole right at your table with the freshest ingredients. The sizzling shrimp fajitas are also amazing!
(5)Kamuela P.
Saw the images on yelp, and me and my girlfriend thought we had to try their food. Beats waiting 40 mins to eat Mexican food from the other place in Wilkes-Barre. Their homemade water was awesome the staff was super friendly and the food was great. I recommend anyone who's contiplating on some authentic Mexican :)
(4)Brendan B.
Was in town for one night and turned to yelp to choose our dinner venue. I wanted to avoid the many chain restaurants that cover the area. Spotted the ratings for this place and I decided to check it out. It lived up to the hype! Authentic Mexican food with outstanding service. Our waitress was extremely friendly and helpful explaining the menu items. She made the guacamole (must order!) right at the table. She also offered countless free samples. Meals were delicious and we had a great time (was there with my parents). This place is not fancy by any means, but the food is top notch and we had a truly great time. If you want authentic Mexican food and want to avoid the chains littering the area, this is the spot! If I am ever in town again I will most definitely return!
(5)Jess J.
Excellent excellent service! El Rey's food is delicious and we love it everytime. The service is very prompt and mannered and we were well appointed!! Cheers to the chefs, service and managment!
(5)Leanne B.
Very Friendly service and it was great to try a few samples before ordering! Delicious!
(5)Ruben A.
Thr word authentic is meaningless nowadays... If you needed to redefine or simply to establish a meaning for excellent, look to this location. Its exterior and interior is a bit deceiving but the food... Ah the food...Well, for me a food drunk is like going to 11. The drive is worth it. Come hungry you will not be disappointed.
(5)M S.
UPDATE! The owner saw the review and brought a second order!! It was dead on the money! This was my response to him: Your passion goes ABOVE AND BEYOND! I too own a company that serves the public and I can honestly say you've rekindled the fire in me to serve! We need more leaders like you! Thank you for the second pizza and salad. The pizza was RED hot and salad was exactly what I hoped. Thank you for the offer, WE WILL BE BACK AND WILL RECOMMEND you without hesitation! You inspire! -------------------------------------------------- Sorry to write a negative review, I had high expectations based on other reviews. This was a takeout to Red Roof Inn. The female employee on the phone was very good. But...Salad was skimpy and filled with tons of raw onion! Huh? The mixed fajita pizza was soggy ( and NOT HOT AT ALL!). I asked for "crispy"! The crust was barely cooked. Had it been cooked, I'd say 3.5 stars maybe. Very competitive market, we made the wrong choice. Pretty bummed - just had driven 10 hours, too tired to go out and the reviews here nearly assured us of a good experience. Yep, bummed. Menu on Yelp is not correct. $30 with the tip... :-((
(5)Justin S.
This place is the best place to eat in Wilkes Barre area. Authentic handmade Mexican food. All made from scratch.
(5)J P.
The food earns the 5 stars - made from scratch and full of flavor. Service was excellent - very friendly. And I love that they brought samples so we could try things we haven't had. Warning - The location is small and only okay. Only 1 outdated bathroom per gender which can be tough with a large crew or kids. I almost took a star here, but they were clean and stocked.
(5)Lyn M.
We found this place while traveling the I80 corridor & figured this many good Yelp reviews was worth the 30 minute round trip detour. The place is very authentic & the staff was absolutely wonderful. Our waitress, whose name I did not get (DOH! She's from NYC!) was very friendly from the get go, explained the specials menu to us without being asked & made suggestions based on our preferences. I had my mind set on one dish then I tried the sample of Peurco en Adobo; I was sold. I got the absolute BEST (hands down) nachos I have ever had. We are super picky eaters: not picky weird: picky authentic; & this restaurant, with its smiling waitress & happy to be there locals is exactly what we love. The ONLY reason I didn't give 5 stars is because of the location but I'll finish with this: I am definitely considering driving the 90 minutes from home to have at those nachos again!
(4)Dan R.
Authentic mexican food. Where not talking about "run for the bathroom" Taco bell here. Good service and quality food.
(4)Oliver J.
Seriously found this place by accident because most things were closed. What a great find! Authentic and flavorful dishes. Waitress let us taste a type of pork stew that was the daily special. So good! Ordered enchiladas and fajitas. Portions are huge! Everything seemed fresh. I hope they continue this level of care!
(5)Ryan D.
Food excellent, wish they had beer. But in my opinion service could of been better. And it was not due to waitress, just short staffed, waited almost whole meal for our extra salsa. Also chips were oily and undercooked
(4)Emir L.
Was with a family of five and although it took a while the food was delicious. We had tostadas for our appetizer I had a steak platter with fried egg onions and plantains. The portions were good. Also the desserts were good. Flan was right. The cheesecake burrito was worth.
(5)Brandon S.
This is one of the best Mexican restaurants I've been to by far. The waitress was super friendly & outgoing and even gave us some of their food to sample. A+ for service. The food was fantastic. I ordered the Torte Cubana. It was savory, loaded with ingredients and dripping with flavor. My favorite part, however, was the guacamole. A kindly lady came to our table and prepared it right in front of us. Once the dish was prepared, my table dove into it. It was the best guacamole I've ever had. Honestly. If you come here, order it for sure. All in all, this is a great place. I highly recommend it to any hungry individual. A++
(5)Karina M.
I am very skeptical about all these 5 star reviews. Started off with great guacamole, chips and drinks (flavored water). Unfortunately the quesadilla was inedible ... Sooo greasy I couldn't even pick it up. The grease leaked everywhere and I picked out the meat from 1\3 of the quesadilla and even that was heavy with grease... Made me feel gross. So the entree was terrible. I was really hopeful after the great guac and drinks but now I'm just super disappointed about spending the money on something I couldn't even eat.
(2)Robyne M.
OPD = OMG in Spanish lol This is our favorite place to eat! Just like my own Mexican dishes I make at home, which says a lot. Very authentic! Tell them Robyne sent you.
(5)Brandon W.
I'm pretty inexperienced when it comes to "authentic" Mexican cuisine. If our meal this evening was any indication of what it has to offer, I'm really going to have to start working out. We were in town for a convention and decided to try this place because of its high rating. We were immediately greeted and seated, with accommodations made for the rest of our party, who soon cancelled on us. Despite having moved tables and chairs and postponed our order, the staff was very kind and never showed any "attitude". Three different ladies attentively waited on us while still caring for two large parties and other smaller ones. We were encouraged to sample Mexican drinks as well as some pork dishes. All were delicious. We got a half order of the Nachos Fajitas, which turned out to be a good idea since I was guzzling Tamarindos and would soon order a burrito. Can't remember which one but it had the semi-spicy roast pork. That pork. Man. So good. Anyway, in summary: Great food and great service at affordable prices can be hard to find. This place offers those. It is apparently loved by the locals and will be receiving my patronage whenever I'm close enough to stop here. May be back tomorrow night.
(5)Ben A.
Absolutely top of the line. As someone who practically lived in Mexico for most of their life, I can tell you without a doubt this food is as authentic as it gets without having to wait at a border crossing. The wait staff is always there to help you, they're friendly and sociable, and the food is as good as it can get. I'd highly recommend going here over any of the other more commercialized "Spanish" locations in WB.
(5)Meghan C.
This is by far the best Mexican restaurant around. It's family owned and operated and the staff is super friendly. The pork. Holy. Crap. It's soooo delicious. I plan on coming back and trying as many different things as possible and I'm sure they will all be amazing.
(5)Solomon G.
Absolutely amazing! The best authentic Mexican food in NEPA hands down, the food is flavorful, the portion is large, and delivery arrives piping hot.
(5)Mary E.
Every time I order from here there is a problem the food is always cold when they deliver or they forget something they wouldn't honor there Valentine's Day special menu or there Super Bowl Sunday menu. The meat used to have flavor but the last time I got it, it was bland. My friends car was also towed from the front of thier building no signs! When you call to tell them about the problem they always blame the customer nothing is there fault. We used to spend $80.00 a night at this place but now we will never order from here again.
(1)Michelle W.
This place is absolutely amazing. Five stars from the atmosphere to the service and the food itself. I've been recommending el Rey to everyone I know. Their burritos are the bomb diggity. Love the drinks too! And the fact that they make you homemade guacamole at your table is just heavenly.
(5)Mike W.
I was stationed in Texas while in the military and I often wish for great Mexican food. Well El Rey delivers! I loved the chorizo and cheese. I also tried everyone else's dishes from the table and they were spot on. There is a reason this place is 5 stars! The staff was great too. Only draw back is that the place is a little small and they get busy as they should. They are the best game in town with great prices. On top of that they got yelps deals!? Sold!
(5)Russ E.
Had food delivered by a young man about 16 or so and he said he didnt have any change so i lost almost ten dollars and the sauce was spilled in the bag the food was okay not real good def not worth the money i ended up paying 20.00 for three tacos will never order from here again
(1)Jason B.
Excellent authentic Mexican food, huge portions! Owners are very friendly and personable!
(5)Gina H.
Great Mexican Food! Fresh, spicy and quick. Friendly service and easy on/off I81. Yelp business name is misleading though. No pizza.
(5)Daria B.
Very delicious food with a nice selection of tasty Mexican sodas. My burrito was enormous, so I had to take it with me. Our waitress Raquel was SO sweet and attentive that we left her 20% tip with no hesitation. The place is small, like a little cafe, but they'll find a place for a big group. Great for lunch; dinner - not so much.
(5)James B.
This was our first visit. Everything was really good. The guacamole was particularly tasty and they made it fresh at the table and tailored it to our particular taste. Perfection! The shrimp cocktail was not what I expected. It was more like a shrimp salad. It was interesting but in a good way. The main courses were very tasty. I took about half of my burrito home as it was large. The service was great! I think we got attention from each of the friendly staff. It was a really nice meal, prices were very fair, everyone was cheerful and attentive. We will be back. Thanks! !
(5)Matt D.
House made everything! Tortillas, mole, chorizo, al pastor.... Very friendly, explained Mexican food to the uninitiated, offered several samples.... Not as quick as I would have expected and the decor is very, very basic. We enjoyed it!
(4)Rachelle M.
We drove an hour for some authentic Mexican and almost drove right by the place. So glad we found it because we really enjoyed everything. First of all the service was amazing. This is not your typical americanized mexican restaurant food.They offered samples of both drinks and specials when we sat down. I had one of the specials and my husband had tacos. Both were excellent. We didn't order the burritos but several other patrons did and they were HUGE. They were very warm and genuinely grateful that we had come so far to try their food. We will be returning very soon!
(4)James H.
food was pretty good, def not 5 star good though, they had like 20 diffeent kinds of nachos and sauces. place is kinda a hole w kids toys strung about but i guess that gives it some charm. waitress was nice price was avg, overall ok not really worth my 20 min ride from the casino not sure what all the fuss was about this place ive had better mexican
(3)Neil D.
I have lived in Mexico for a few years. I am very particular about the authenticity and quality. This place is REAL!! Great food. Food is prepared and Presented as in Mexico. Family run business of Mexican descent. I was very happily impressed with every bit of our meal. The guacamole prepared at table side was delicious and perfect. We will return many times.
(5)B R.
I'm working in the area and found this place on Yelp. The staff was fantastic and the food was incredible. I want to try a couple things so I got enchiladas, tacos and finished with Flan. If you can stand hot you have to ask for the homemade hot sauce. It will get the juices going.
(5)Bob B.
Love the table side guac! And you get it exactly how you want it. And the food is always fresh and delicious. Great, friendly service. Some of the best authentic Mexican food in the Wilkes-Barre area.When we stopped in, a table of 10 had just arrived from Scranton because they do not have anything this good in their area.If you live in the area or are passing thru and are looking for great Mexican food, you have to stop at this place!
(5)Michael C.
This place is the real deal. A meal so good I almost cried with happiness. Everything fresh. Everything. I will definately go back again. The homemade flautas had me at 'hola'! The place is tucked back off the street, but there was plenty of parking available. I really am blown away by the quality of the food, though. Great portions and great customer service. If you are in the area and think you have had good Mexican food, try this place. I wouldn't lie to you. I want you to have a good meal, and you'll get one there.
(5)Joe A.
My wife & i have been to El Rey Azteca several times & we absolutely love it,the fresh homemade guacamole is insane,it's family owned ,great prices & authentic Mexican
(5)Anthony M.
As other reviewers have noted, this is an excellent place. It's a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that will become your go-to spot for Mexican food. From the personable service to the homemade dishes, I found my experience warm and welcoming and left sated and full. I highly recommend El Rey Azteca.
(5)Steven M.
Incredibly delicious food! They now have a customer for life! The staff is super friendly and welcoming and very ready to answer any question you may have about the menu. The pork burritos are to die for!
(5)Geoffrey E.
Authentic and fresh Mexican. Friendly attentive service. In a city of chains and big box retail, it's a great find!
(5)sanu u.
Found this place thanks to yelp in the midst of a long drive home back to boston. Amazing and friendly service, incredible and authentic mexican food. I'll definitely be coming back if I'm passing through the area again.
(5)Sarah M.
The food is very authentic with such fresh ingredients! Really the best Mexican food I have ever had. Family owned and very friendly. Fresh guacamole made at your table! Fresh limes and cilantro with each meal. I will continue to support them and recommend them. Best Mexican in PA!!!
(5)Janice Y.
We LOVED this place!!! The food here is the best tasting Mexican food I've ever had b/c it was so authentic. The guacamole and chips were delicious, and so were each of our dishes. The service was excellent, and everyone who works there is super friendly, including the owner. I cannot recommend this restaurant more highly. We will definitely be coming back again and again and again!!!
(5)Laura H.
This place is great. I came in here because of the great yelp reviews. The staff was extremely friendly and responsive to any questions I had. The provided free samples of the home made sodas they make which were delicious. They also had a sample of one of the specials. The entrees were delicious and the portions were generous. I got the land and sea special and it was amazing!
(5)Tom H.
Very good food. We were offered samples of the specials and their flavored waters. Both were very good. The service was very good. We would recommend El Rey!
(4)Christopher S.
We stopped on our way from Maryland to New York State. Excellent service, very friendly and welcoming. Food much more authentic than most places you find. They offer samples of their special drinks and food specials to "first timers" like us. and very conveniently located just off Rt 81. Would highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Chelle J.
Family run business with amazing food. I have eaten here a few times and the food is consistently good. The guacamole is fresh and the ingredients are balanced perfectly. Tacos come four to an order, which is plenty for a meal. The meat is tasty and the homemade salsa served on the side has good flavor with the right amount of spice. The torta cubana is a delicious sandwich with a great blend of textures served on homemade bread. The service is excellent. This has become a new staple in my local repertoire of restaurants.
(5)lisa a.
We have been here many times. It is authentic Mexican. We have never been disappointed. The food is delicious and made to order. I highly recommend the Torta Cubano. This is a huge sandwich on a freshly made roll filled with chicken, pork, a fried egg, fried onions, lettuce , tomatoes, avocado, and beans.... I think I tasted pineapple too!!! What a wonderful combination. I never seem to finish things I order, bur I simply could not put this thing down. As the previous reviewer has said it is a family business and are very nice and are happy to answer any questions about menu items.
(5)Joe C.
been meaning to try this place for a month or so.....SHAME ON ME !!!!!!! this is down home Mexican at it's best.... gaston & becky treat you like family... like you were eating at grandma's.......so if your looking for great Mexican food? run don't walk to this restaurant!!!!!!!!
(5)mike v.
Service - The service was spectacular. Quick and friendly. Food - Large portions, very delicious! The free samples were great! Price - Very reasonable! Guacamole was great, so was the cantaloupe water, and all of the entrees were incredible. Definitely coming back, and would highly recommend to friends.
(5)Preeti P.
Fantastic food and service! The place is nothing to look at and could do with better cleaning, but the family run establishment has a certain warmth that you rarely see/ feel. They take the time to explain what a dish will entail and even let you sample a dish or gravy to see if something will be up your alley. The table side guacamole was simple but a big hit.. Since I saw what went into it and in what proportion, I simply don't get why mine doesn't turn out as tasty! The pork and shrimp dishes my colleagues and I ordered were all great.. The meat was tender and well seasoned while the shrimp was cooked in a spicy sauce - "el Diablo". The complimentary house made tortilla chips were served with a tangy sauce.. Yum! The Mexican sodas were nice too - we tried mandarin, tutti fruti and grapefruit.. And the last turned out to be the best. Unfortunately no one had room for dessert - else I surely would have tried the cheesecake burrito! Loved the hospitality and the food!
(4)Jeff F.
Awesome food and service . Good prices authentic Mexican food Fresh guacamole. Def check it out Family owned and operated
(5)Maury M.
Great food and I am not a fan of Mexican dishes.
(4)Marci D.
Excellent Authentic Mexican food!! The service is outstanding and very friendly! So thankful for this restaurant!
(5)Elle S.
Delicious!!! This was our first visit to El Rey and when we told the waitress that she brought out a few samples to help us decide what to order for dinner. Everything she brought out was awesome! The pork dish I ordered was fall-off-the-bone good and my husbands burrito was excellent! Definitely get the guacamole! It's outstanding!! We finished with the homemade churros that came with vanilla ice cream. Delicious!!
(5)Sha P.
I got the pork sandwich and wasn't too crazy about it. Server was attentive and accommodating. My husband got the burrito and it was amazing. I had a few bites of his food and wished I had gotten the burrito. Churros are extraordinary. We will definitely go back.
(5)Katie M.
It's a small, unassuming place on the "other" side of Wilkes-Barre, away from the shopping areas but I see why it has such a strong following. It was fantastic! Stopped in for a late lunch. Was welcomed with a complimentary tasting of their house made Aqua Frescas and horchata. I thought that was nice touch, but then also was offered their Mole on chicken and adobo pork. The mole was complex. The peppers and raisin were equally predominate with a slight sweetness followed by an underlying bitterness, but in a good way. I couldn't stop going back. The adobo pork was well seasoned and ridiculously tender. And this is all before I even ordered. The staff was very knowledgeable and accommodating. I ordered the taco platter, 2 al pastor and 2 carnitas., and a horchata. I chose cilantro and onion (rather than the lettuce and pico) so I could taste the meat. Both were great, but the carnitas were sublime. They were accompanied by a trio of salsas. While all were good, my favorite was the salsa verde. It had a bright finish that cut through the meat. Every table around me had the table side guacamole and couldn't stop raving. Hands down the best Mexican I've had in Central/Northeast PA. If coming in from the south, get off the highway one exit early. You won't regret it.
(5)Justin A.
Welcoming service & authentic delicious food. They brought out homemade chips & salsa after being seated, followed by samples of food & tasty homemade drinks. Very impressed with this place & highly recommend eating here whether you live nearby or are just passing through like me.
(5)Kevin R.
Finally! A great Mexican find in SWB!! The server was very accommodating and gave us samples of a few different items. I had the pork burrito, huge and awesome!! Had to take half home (and my wife ate it when we got back.). Dessert...churro with ice cream, great! Love the small divey atmosphere. You've got to try this place.
(5)Cassie L.
Happened in here on a Friday night. The place was packed. Right away the waitress brought over some house made chips and salsa. They were extremely delicious. We ordered the bean dip as an appetizer. It was the perfect ratio of beans to cheese. Not too heavy, not too salty, but just right. For entrees, my boyfriend and I ordered the torta classica (vegetarian style) and enchiladas poblanas (also vegetarian style). The mole sauce was outstanding. It was packed full of flavor and had a small kick to it that was very pleasant. The torta was also a great choice. The bread was so fresh, and toasted perfectly. Would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for flavorful, authentic Mexican at a good price with great service. We will be back. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because of the location and view of the worn down car wash. Oh, and it's BYOB.
(4)T.j. A.
This place is by far the best Mexican restaurant in the Wilkes barre area. I have had Mexican from places all over the country and this has still got to be my favorite. The food is always cooked to perfection, the staff is friendly and provide speedy service. The only down side is the size of the place, it is very small and seating is limited. Besides that this place is spot on and won't disappoint.
(5)Madeline B.
Authentic Mexican food is what you will find here. It is well priced for what you get. The fajitas were delicious as well as the homemade guacamole. This place has a local family feel and great service.
(5)Justin B.
Been here many of times and still amazing , authentic Mexican food.. Amazing service and staff.. And great prices! What else do you need? They clearly check on you and make sure you understand all specials and food on the menu ! Kudos!
(5)Angela G.
I HATE to have to buck the five star trend here for a few reasons... 1. The service was perfection. They gave us free samples of certain dishes and inquired about my friends job as a chef while talking shop and serving us super fresh guacamole. They even presented my friend with a free flan for her birthday; it was incredibly sweet (the gesture, not the flan) 2. So many people have spoken about their experiences here as incredible and I was definitely expecting it to be amazing food-wise. I'm writing this review with some hesitation and some hope because I do think they are capable of more than these three stars --- but I do need to point out a few things that made the experience a little less than what I expected. We shared tacos, sampling one beef, one chorizo, one spicy carnitas and one regular pork. They were fresh corn tacos and were served with a platter of delicious sauces, but ALL of the meat in the tacos was dry. Even with a slick puddle of add hot sauce coating them, the savory juice-splosion one expects upon taco-chomping was nonexistent. However, the chicken in Adobo was so much the opposite experience. It was amazing and moist and flavorful. So, my thoughts are to maybe not get the tacos but instead choose something more "low and slow" and grab a glass of horchata while you wait. I'll be back to give this place another go.
(3)Miriah K.
We love El Rey Azteca! The food is authentic and delicious! They have the BEST fresh, house-made tortilla chips in town. Their enchiladas are my favorite item especially with verde sauce and molè...yum! The eat-in ambiance leaves much to be desired, the space is very limited. They do offer delivery, but we have found delivery takes much longer than it should (we live about 5 min away). But this is our favorite place for carry-out Mexican food.
(4)Shannon G.
Super friendly service, big portions at the right prices and delicious authentic Mexican food. I couldn't ask for more. The fajitas were on point and the burrito my boyfriend ordered was huge and plated up so nicely. Everything was hot, fresh and so good. We will certainly be back for our Mexican fix. We felt like we were back in souther California, which Is hard to find in NEPA!
(4)Susan G.
Wonderful food, prepared from scratch by the family who own the place. We go out of our way to stop here when we are in the area. It's hard to find if no GPS, set back from the road in a commercial building that houses several businesses. Don't be discouraged; it's well worth it. They also offer cooking classes once per month.
(5)Matt F.
This meal was for takeout. Got the burrito poblano, which had the awesome mole sauce with such rich flavor. The burrito was massive and I couldn't finish it in one serving. Had the cheesecake burrito as promised from my last review. It was alright, but I probably wouldn't order it again or would need to have it fresh because it got a little soggy from the whipped cream in the container and it lost its crispiness. Oh well!
(5)Trent S.
Really delicious and authentic Mexican - not Tex-Mexican like the chains and wannabes. Complex and flavorful sauces and Pico de Gallo, nothing from a can or jar here. Great selection of entrees and interesting unique items across the menu. Definite must try if you're in the area. Byo alcohol.
(5)Mike B.
Do not pass this restaurant by. It is by far the best Mexican food anywhere around. All the food is great, but a dish with pork in it is truly exceptional. Just as good as the food, the waitstaff go out of their way to explain the different flavor profiles of the dishes. Will be coming to this place every time I come through Wilkes-Barre.
(5)Christian C.
Perfect, the best in the valley hands down. Service is perfect to. I so will be back.
(5)Rodney D.
One word for this Mexican restaurant " Sleeper" when we think of Mexican in the area you think La Tolteca. Don't sleep on the food here. Never had a bad meal & the service has always been great. My goal before moving out of the area is to try every burrito they make. I'm halfway there. Everyone I've tried has been huge & better than the last. An awesome spot ;)
(5)Berny V.
Excellent food, friendly staff, and family oriented.
(5)Liam D.
Awesome food and great service. Two waitresses were extremely attentive to our table. We were able to test numerous sauces before ordering. I had the Torta, and never having had one before, was able to have a tremendous first experience. Tested numerous other table mates' dishes and thoroughly recommend this restaurant!
(5)Karen V.
We've been going to El Ray for the last 1 1/2 years. Gaston & his family provide excellent service. I haven't experienced service like theirs in more than a couple of restaurants. It's a mom & pop shop with good food, good prices and huge portions. Any questions you have about the foods are answered without hesitation. Samples are available at any time to try something new. The only reason I'm knocking it down one star is that my husband & I have been noticing a decline in the quality of the food. I was blown away when I got a cold burrito the one time. Not cold as in my food was done and sat while my husband's was finishing up. Cold as in taken out of the fridge, put on the plate and brought to the table. Service being what it is there, it was fixed immediately and I believe we were given a free dessert for the trouble (this was a couple months ago). Sauces seem to be changing, and we seem to be leaving less satisfied with our meals as time goes on. We'll be taking a break from the place for a while and hope that things go back to where they were. We love the people there and would much prefer to support a family owned business than some corporate chain. I wish them well as they continue to grow.
(4)Joe M.
I have been back a few times since my initial review. Things weren't as great as before. Two things specifically were not right; One, the quality and prep of the meats were not as good. I ordered a "Special" which had a steak strip, of sorts. The meat was very chewy, tough and had no seasoning. Another time I ordered a burrito, which have always been Killer but this time the flavor was "off". Off as in not fresh. Two, sometimes the place is a little unkempt . I could understand this to a certain extent especially with the place being a busy Mom&Pop joint, but when there's a jug of automotive antifreeze in direct view of the customer I believe that's taking things to far.
(3)Nadia M.
Home cooked food...veggie burrito was scrumptious! Great stop on my way from DC. Family business... Super nice !
(4)Katey B.
Amazing food. Guacamole and churros are the best around! Service was outstanding and staff is very friendly. Would definitely come back!
(5)Sebastian L.
Was just passing by for a to go meal after a long road trip, and found this gem. Their meats are tender and sauces brilliantly seasoned. A definite must-go-to for authentic Mexican food.
(5)Manzana Z.
great experience here. My friends enjoyed . Their fried egg is yummy. guacamole is great! Everything looks like homemade. Will come again and try their fajita
(4)Jennifer B.
The portions are huge here!!!! We went to try this place out and we were not disappointed. The server was friendly and brought us samples to try and we did in fact buy meals based off of those samples. My son loved the Horchata drink. All in all we will definitely be going back!!!!
(5)Tom F.
We tried this place after seeing it on Yelp and we LOVED our first visit. A second visit was sub-par at best. The food tasted like it was frozen and re-heated, nothing like the first trip. I talked my wife into trying it again. I told her "We gave Chili's how many chances? Let's try them at least once more" - man, am I glad I did. We've since returned at LEAST 10 times. Our food is always fresh, tasty, and I would rate it VERY highly. Sometimes the guacamole has unripened tomatoes, and sometimes they run out of avocados (weird) but other than these issues, I'd never hesitate to suggest it. These are honestly the only negatives I can give the place. It's been remodeled and looks much nicer and cleaner inside, it's got super-friendly staff, and the prices are reasonable when you consider portion sizes.
(5)Marley D.
Excellent service, wonderful food! We will be back!! I had the burrito, large portion and served fresh. They make fresh table side guacamole. The pork was tender and delicious. Homemade chips. The meal was resonably affordable.
(5)Cassie G.
I try to live my life with no regrets. However, a big regret that I have today is that I didn't visit this place sooner. Excellent service and excellent food. The waitress brought over samples of the mole sauce and some of their speciality drinks. The prices were more than reasonable. The homemade guacamole was divine. I will be heading back there soon! Yum-o
(5)Eric F.
This place is a hidden gem in Wilkes-Barre. Slightly tough to see from the road, but your search will be well rewarded! The food here was outstanding - easily on par with the best I've had in southern Arizona and San Jose. This was a great experience from the moment we walked in the door, with a warm greeting from the waitress. She brought a bunch of samples of their aguas frescas. The hibiscus tea was the winner among these, but the horchata and tamarind water were also nice. She also brought samples of adobo pork and their house mole. Both were quite good. We had the Mayan burrito and Burrito del Rey. The Mayan burrito comes covered in a guajillo chile sauce. It was so good that I wish I had a vat of it on the side to pour into the burrito. Unusually among Mexican restaurants, this was actually a bit spicy. Most places avoid spice categorically, so this was a nice change. Service was rapid and magnanimous. We aren't in Wilkes-Barre often, but we'll be coming here every time we're in town.
(5)Leigh S.
After two days of less than stellar meals, we turned to the gods of Yelp to hopefully point us in the right direction. And point us in the right direction they did. First of all, we were greeted and given samples of the homemade watermelon water and horchata, both of which were out of this world. There was also a sample of the special, pork in adobo sauce. After a quick bite it was decided that I would get the pork adobo platter, and my friend would get the pork adobo burrito. We were not disappointed in our choices, except for the fact that we are at a hotel and couldn't take the rest of it to go. We were asked if we wanted guacamole, which was pretty much a given. It was made table side to our liking and I could have stopped eating there and died a happy, avocado stuffed woman. Going out on a limb, we ordered a flan and a cheesecake burrito for dessert. Excellent decisions all the way around. The warm cheesecake inside the cheesecake burrito was a little different, but not enough to keep us from snarfing it. The service was out of this world and we really appreciated the time they took to make two girls from the Detroit area feel like locals. :) Should we ever find ourselves on this area again, we will definitely be back.
(5)Jess L.
One of the best authentic Mexican restaurants we've ever been to. The table side guacamole is a great way to start your meal - we finished the small in no time though so definitely order the large! The service was amazing and we were treated like royalty from the moment we walked through the door. We will definitely be back and recommend the cheesecake burrito for dessert!
(5)Rene T.
Went to the restaurant yesterday evening for dinner with my wife. I was not expecting much as the outside was not great, but what a surprise. The food was excellent and the staff was welcoming, friendly and prompt. I love the fresh guacamole and I had the fat in quesadilla. All were fantastic. Will go back again.
(5)Deisnel C.
Unassuming place, but authentic Mexican fare with great staff. The occupied tables on a Sunday night indicated immediately we had chosen well. Future move to a place with more space also spoke volumes. Gem within the SWB area.
(4)